Positive World, Positive People Mon, 01 Jun 2026 09:05:13 -0400 https://posipeopleworld.buzzsprout.com en-us © 2026 Positive World, Positive People yes Support this Podcast 1dae6a2b-b64f-5593-b877-696217f6ad6b Sadie Sonneborn Malecki episodic false PoWoPoPe episodes are designed for teenage audiences, specifically covering various unique topics that relate to early life and development. Episodes range from discussions on the impacts of social media to discovering one's true self. 

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Sadie Sonneborn Malecki https://storage.buzzsprout.com/4wcyxsaa4lmlvhwdl24f0hr42iky?.jpg Positive World, Positive People Sadie Sonneborn Malecki Activist - Benton Schroeder Activist - Benton Schroeder In this series, we highlight activists, innovators, and leaders who used their voices and actions to create real change, reminding us that you are never too young to make a difference. At its core, this series is about showing that change doesn’t have to start big. Sometimes, it starts with one idea, one passion, and the courage to act on it. Today’s guest is someone who truly embodies what it means to turn passion into action. That is why I’m so excited to welcome Benton Schroeder.



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]]> In this series, we highlight activists, innovators, and leaders who used their voices and actions to create real change, reminding us that you are never too young to make a difference. At its core, this series is about showing that change doesn’t have to start big. Sometimes, it starts with one idea, one passion, and the courage to act on it. Today’s guest is someone who truly embodies what it means to turn passion into action. That is why I’m so excited to welcome Benton Schroeder.



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]]> Sadie Sonneborn Malecki Buzzsprout-19272010 Mon, 01 Jun 2026 06:00:00 -0700 1953 2 6 full false How External Factors and Identity Shape Teen Motivation with Dr. Chris Hulleman How External Factors and Identity Shape Teen Motivation with Dr. Chris Hulleman The teenage years are full of change. We’re asked to think more seriously about our futures, take on more responsibility, and define who we want to become. But somewhere in the middle of all that, motivation can start to feel unpredictable. You might feel incredibly driven toward one goal, and completely stuck in another area. Instead of assuming that inconsistency means something is wrong, I started wondering: Is fluctuating motivation actually a normal part of adolescent development? What’s happening beneath the surface when our drive shifts? To help us unpack these questions, I’m honored to welcome Dr. Chris Hulleman.


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]]> The teenage years are full of change. We’re asked to think more seriously about our futures, take on more responsibility, and define who we want to become. But somewhere in the middle of all that, motivation can start to feel unpredictable. You might feel incredibly driven toward one goal, and completely stuck in another area. Instead of assuming that inconsistency means something is wrong, I started wondering: Is fluctuating motivation actually a normal part of adolescent development? What’s happening beneath the surface when our drive shifts? To help us unpack these questions, I’m honored to welcome Dr. Chris Hulleman.


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]]> Sadie Sonneborn Malecki Buzzsprout-19066220 Mon, 25 May 2026 06:00:00 -0700 2497 1 26 full false Revealing the Origin of Adolescent Depression with Dr. Michael Scheeringa Revealing the Origin of Adolescent Depression with Dr. Michael Scheeringa As we move through our teenage years, emotions can feel heavier, more complex, and sometimes harder to understand. For some teens, those feelings go beyond stress and become something deeper: something harder to explain, like a lingering sadness or a sense of disconnection. These concepts made me start to wonder: Why do depressive symptoms often increase during adolescence? How do stress and identity development shape the way teens experience depression? To help us explore these questions, I’m honored to welcome Dr. Michael Scheeringa.

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]]> As we move through our teenage years, emotions can feel heavier, more complex, and sometimes harder to understand. For some teens, those feelings go beyond stress and become something deeper: something harder to explain, like a lingering sadness or a sense of disconnection. These concepts made me start to wonder: Why do depressive symptoms often increase during adolescence? How do stress and identity development shape the way teens experience depression? To help us explore these questions, I’m honored to welcome Dr. Michael Scheeringa.

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]]> Sadie Sonneborn Malecki Buzzsprout-19062277 Mon, 18 May 2026 06:00:00 -0700 1636 1 25 full false The Surprising Role of Self-Compassion in Adolescence with Dr. Ronald Siegel The Surprising Role of Self-Compassion in Adolescence with Dr. Ronald Siegel One thing that comes up again and again in life is how complicated self-esteem can feel. There are moments where you feel confident and secure, and others where your self-worth feels tied to things like grades, friendships, or how you think others perceive you. Because of this, I started to wonder: what truly is self-esteem? And what is connected to make those emotions so severe? To explore these questions, I’m honored to welcome Dr. Ronald D. Siegel to Growing Forward.

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Dr. Siegel's Book: The Extraordinary Gift of Being Ordinary, Finding Happiness Right Where You Are.


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]]> One thing that comes up again and again in life is how complicated self-esteem can feel. There are moments where you feel confident and secure, and others where your self-worth feels tied to things like grades, friendships, or how you think others perceive you. Because of this, I started to wonder: what truly is self-esteem? And what is connected to make those emotions so severe? To explore these questions, I’m honored to welcome Dr. Ronald D. Siegel to Growing Forward.

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Dr. Siegel's Book: The Extraordinary Gift of Being Ordinary, Finding Happiness Right Where You Are.


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]]> Sadie Sonneborn Malecki Buzzsprout-19062048 Mon, 11 May 2026 06:00:00 -0700 1999 1 24 full false Activist - Sagarika Sriram Activist - Sagarika Sriram In this series, we highlight activists, innovators, and leaders who prove that meaningful change often begins with a single idea and the courage to act on it. These stories are meant to inspire you, because no matter how small your beginnings seem, your voice and actions can ripple outward and create real impact. Today’s guest is someone whose story truly embodies this idea through multiple components of her life. Without further ado, I’m thrilled to welcome Sagarika Sriram.

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]]> In this series, we highlight activists, innovators, and leaders who prove that meaningful change often begins with a single idea and the courage to act on it. These stories are meant to inspire you, because no matter how small your beginnings seem, your voice and actions can ripple outward and create real impact. Today’s guest is someone whose story truly embodies this idea through multiple components of her life. Without further ado, I’m thrilled to welcome Sagarika Sriram.

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]]> Sadie Sonneborn Malecki Buzzsprout-19061898 Mon, 04 May 2026 06:00:00 -0700 1665 2 5 full false Conceptualizing the Effects of Motivation with Dr. Kaplan Conceptualizing the Effects of Motivation with Dr. Kaplan Something I notice constantly, in my friends and in myself, is how unpredictable motivation can feel during the teenage years. Unfortunately, motivation is not something adolescents can ignore as it shapes our academic performance, ambitions, friendships, and even self-confidence. So, in this episode, I wanted to explore questions like: What actually causes motivation to fluctuate so much during adolescence? What helps young people stay engaged and persistent, especially when things get difficult? And how can teens better understand the internal and external forces that influence their drive? To guide us through these questions, I’m excited to welcome Dr. Kaplan.

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]]> Something I notice constantly, in my friends and in myself, is how unpredictable motivation can feel during the teenage years. Unfortunately, motivation is not something adolescents can ignore as it shapes our academic performance, ambitions, friendships, and even self-confidence. So, in this episode, I wanted to explore questions like: What actually causes motivation to fluctuate so much during adolescence? What helps young people stay engaged and persistent, especially when things get difficult? And how can teens better understand the internal and external forces that influence their drive? To guide us through these questions, I’m excited to welcome Dr. Kaplan.

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]]> Sadie Sonneborn Malecki Buzzsprout-18883030 Mon, 27 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0700 2146 1 23 full false The Science Behind Prosocial Behavior with Dr. Daniel Fessler The Science Behind Prosocial Behavior with Dr. Daniel Fessler As we grow into our teenage years, life becomes fuller and more complicated. School and hobbies get harder. Expectations rise. Social dynamics shift. And sometimes, the small, natural acts of kindness that once felt easy begin to feel harder to prioritize. It’s not that we stop caring; it’s that life feels louder. In all, that made me wonder: Why does kindness sometimes feel more difficult during adolescence? And how can teenagers continue growing their compassion, even during stressful years? To help us explore these thoughts on a scientific level, I’m delighted to welcome Dr. Daniel Fessler.

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]]> As we grow into our teenage years, life becomes fuller and more complicated. School and hobbies get harder. Expectations rise. Social dynamics shift. And sometimes, the small, natural acts of kindness that once felt easy begin to feel harder to prioritize. It’s not that we stop caring; it’s that life feels louder. In all, that made me wonder: Why does kindness sometimes feel more difficult during adolescence? And how can teenagers continue growing their compassion, even during stressful years? To help us explore these thoughts on a scientific level, I’m delighted to welcome Dr. Daniel Fessler.

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]]> Sadie Sonneborn Malecki Buzzsprout-18883038 Mon, 20 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0700 2367 1 22 full false The True Outcomes of Nature Connectedness with Dr. Caroline Harvey The True Outcomes of Nature Connectedness with Dr. Caroline Harvey Today’s episode feels especially grounding, literally. When we think about teen well-being, we usually address topics such as friendships, school stress, social media, or family dynamics. But we don’t always think about something much quieter, and maybe much more powerful: our connection to nature. What does it mean to feel connected to the natural world? How does time outdoors shape mental health, resilience, or even identity? And what happens when access to nature isn’t equal for everyone? For this episode, I wanted to explore how the spaces around us influence who we are becoming during adolescence, and to help us explore just that, I’m honored to welcome Dr. Caroline Harvey.

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]]> Today’s episode feels especially grounding, literally. When we think about teen well-being, we usually address topics such as friendships, school stress, social media, or family dynamics. But we don’t always think about something much quieter, and maybe much more powerful: our connection to nature. What does it mean to feel connected to the natural world? How does time outdoors shape mental health, resilience, or even identity? And what happens when access to nature isn’t equal for everyone? For this episode, I wanted to explore how the spaces around us influence who we are becoming during adolescence, and to help us explore just that, I’m honored to welcome Dr. Caroline Harvey.

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]]> Sadie Sonneborn Malecki Buzzsprout-18883011 Mon, 13 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0700 2257 1 21 full false Leader - Juliet Zakaryan Leader - Juliet Zakaryan In this series, I highlight young activists, innovators, and leaders who are already shaping a more just and equitable future through their voices, values, and actions. These interviews show that meaningful change doesn’t require waiting for the future; it starts when young people decide to step up, speak out, and lead with intention. With that said, I’m incredibly excited to introduce today’s guest: Juliet Zakaryan.

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]]> In this series, I highlight young activists, innovators, and leaders who are already shaping a more just and equitable future through their voices, values, and actions. These interviews show that meaningful change doesn’t require waiting for the future; it starts when young people decide to step up, speak out, and lead with intention. With that said, I’m incredibly excited to introduce today’s guest: Juliet Zakaryan.

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]]> Sadie Sonneborn Malecki Buzzsprout-18644723 Mon, 06 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0700 1789 2 4 full false Motivation and What It Truly Means With Dr. Allan Wigfield Motivation and What It Truly Means With Dr. Allan Wigfield One question that comes up a LOT is: Why does motivation sometimes feel like a wave, strong one day and completely gone the next? Why does it feel easy to care about something at one moment and impossible the next, especially during school or goal-focused work? For this episode, I really wanted to dig into the science behind motivation during adolescence. What drives teens to engage and persist? Why do motivation patterns shift so much in these years? Finally, and most importantly, how can teens better understand their own motivation so they can navigate school, goals, and life with more confidence and clarity? To help us explore these big questions, I’m honored to welcome Dr. Allan Wigfield.

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]]> One question that comes up a LOT is: Why does motivation sometimes feel like a wave, strong one day and completely gone the next? Why does it feel easy to care about something at one moment and impossible the next, especially during school or goal-focused work? For this episode, I really wanted to dig into the science behind motivation during adolescence. What drives teens to engage and persist? Why do motivation patterns shift so much in these years? Finally, and most importantly, how can teens better understand their own motivation so they can navigate school, goals, and life with more confidence and clarity? To help us explore these big questions, I’m honored to welcome Dr. Allan Wigfield.

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]]> Sadie Sonneborn Malecki Buzzsprout-18706223 Mon, 30 Mar 2026 06:00:00 -0700 1635 1 20 full false A New Perspective on Friendships with Dr. Bukowski A New Perspective on Friendships with Dr. Bukowski If you’ve ever looked at your phone and realized you don’t talk to someone the way you used to, or felt like a friendship quietly changed without a clear reason, you’re not alone. One of the strangest parts of growing up is watching relationships evolve while you’re still trying to figure out who you are. For today’s episode, we are discussing why friendships change during the teenage years and how we can move through those changes without blaming ourselves or feeling like we’ve lost our sense of belonging. To help guide this conversation, welcome Dr. William Bukowski.

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]]> If you’ve ever looked at your phone and realized you don’t talk to someone the way you used to, or felt like a friendship quietly changed without a clear reason, you’re not alone. One of the strangest parts of growing up is watching relationships evolve while you’re still trying to figure out who you are. For today’s episode, we are discussing why friendships change during the teenage years and how we can move through those changes without blaming ourselves or feeling like we’ve lost our sense of belonging. To help guide this conversation, welcome Dr. William Bukowski.

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]]> Sadie Sonneborn Malecki Buzzsprout-18626022 Mon, 23 Mar 2026 06:00:00 -0700 1748 1 19 full false Solitude & Belonging with Dr. Coplan Solitude & Belonging with Dr. Coplan Today’s episode focuses on something many young people experience but don’t acknowledge: loneliness. Even though we’re constantly connected through social media, texting, and school, lots of teens still feel isolated, unseen, or emotionally alone. Loneliness doesn’t always mean being physically alone —sometimes it shows up even when you’re surrounded by people. This experience can be confusing and difficult to navigate, so I wanted to understand why loneliness is so common among teens and how genuine connection can be rebuilt in healthy, meaningful ways. With that in mind, I’m honored to welcome Dr. Robert J. Coplan to Growing Forward.

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]]> Today’s episode focuses on something many young people experience but don’t acknowledge: loneliness. Even though we’re constantly connected through social media, texting, and school, lots of teens still feel isolated, unseen, or emotionally alone. Loneliness doesn’t always mean being physically alone —sometimes it shows up even when you’re surrounded by people. This experience can be confusing and difficult to navigate, so I wanted to understand why loneliness is so common among teens and how genuine connection can be rebuilt in healthy, meaningful ways. With that in mind, I’m honored to welcome Dr. Robert J. Coplan to Growing Forward.

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]]> Sadie Sonneborn Malecki Buzzsprout-18581964 Mon, 16 Mar 2026 06:00:00 -0700 1510 1 18 full false Activist - Lily Niederhofer Activist - Lily Niederhofer Today’s episode is part of our “Change Starts Small” series, where young activists, innovators, and leaders who are proving that age is never a limitation to creating meaningful change join our podcast. This series is rooted in the belief that finding your voice and choosing to use it often is the very first step toward making an impact. By sharing these stories, we hope to inspire others to lead with purpose, curiosity, and courage. With that in mind, I’m thrilled to welcome today’s youth activist: Lily Niederhofer.

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]]> Today’s episode is part of our “Change Starts Small” series, where young activists, innovators, and leaders who are proving that age is never a limitation to creating meaningful change join our podcast. This series is rooted in the belief that finding your voice and choosing to use it often is the very first step toward making an impact. By sharing these stories, we hope to inspire others to lead with purpose, curiosity, and courage. With that in mind, I’m thrilled to welcome today’s youth activist: Lily Niederhofer.

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]]> Sadie Sonneborn Malecki Buzzsprout-18643345 Mon, 09 Mar 2026 06:00:00 -0700 1467 2 3 full false Choosing Kindness and Authenticity with Dr. Tyrone Howard Choosing Kindness and Authenticity with Dr. Tyrone Howard The teenage years come with moments that test us. Whether it’s pressure, loss, failure, or uncertainty, difficult experiences can make us feel disconnected from ourselves and others. However, doing simple things, such as staying open-minded, kind, and maintaining personal identity, can relieve these pressures, but it is easier said than done. With that in mind, I’m honored to welcome Dr. Tyrone C. Howard to the podcast to investigate these prompts.

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]]> The teenage years come with moments that test us. Whether it’s pressure, loss, failure, or uncertainty, difficult experiences can make us feel disconnected from ourselves and others. However, doing simple things, such as staying open-minded, kind, and maintaining personal identity, can relieve these pressures, but it is easier said than done. With that in mind, I’m honored to welcome Dr. Tyrone C. Howard to the podcast to investigate these prompts.

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]]> Sadie Sonneborn Malecki Buzzsprout-18538909 Mon, 02 Mar 2026 06:00:00 -0800 1755 1 17 full false Learning to Let Go and Grow with Dr. Olga Kornienko Learning to Let Go and Grow with Dr. Olga Kornienko As we move through our teenage years, friendships often begin to change. People we once felt inseparable from might drift away, friend groups shift, and sometimes we’re left wondering what we did wrong or if something is wrong with us. These changes can feel confusing, painful, and isolating, especially when no one really talks about how normal they are. Because of this, I wanted to understand why friendships shift so much during adolescence and how teens can cope with these changes in healthy, grounded ways, without blaming themselves or losing confidence in who they are. With this in mind, I invited Dr. Olga Kornienko to the podcast.



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]]> As we move through our teenage years, friendships often begin to change. People we once felt inseparable from might drift away, friend groups shift, and sometimes we’re left wondering what we did wrong or if something is wrong with us. These changes can feel confusing, painful, and isolating, especially when no one really talks about how normal they are. Because of this, I wanted to understand why friendships shift so much during adolescence and how teens can cope with these changes in healthy, grounded ways, without blaming themselves or losing confidence in who they are. With this in mind, I invited Dr. Olga Kornienko to the podcast.



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]]> Sadie Sonneborn Malecki Buzzsprout-18563029 Mon, 23 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0800 2055 1 16 full false Rewriting Your Story: Julia Garcia on Self-Esteem and Hope Rewriting Your Story: Julia Garcia on Self-Esteem and Hope In our previous episode, we sat down with Jenny Garrett to talk about building self-esteem, what it means to find confidence from within, and how to navigate identity in a world full of comparison. We explored how self-worth connects to authenticity and leadership, and why believing in yourself is one of the most powerful things you can do as a teenager. Today, we’re taking that conversation a step further. We’ll dive into how hope and purpose can strengthen that confidence; how believing in yourself not only shapes how you think, but how you live, grow, and move forward through challenges. To help us unpack this topic, I am honored to welcome Dr. Julia Garcia to the podcast.

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]]> In our previous episode, we sat down with Jenny Garrett to talk about building self-esteem, what it means to find confidence from within, and how to navigate identity in a world full of comparison. We explored how self-worth connects to authenticity and leadership, and why believing in yourself is one of the most powerful things you can do as a teenager. Today, we’re taking that conversation a step further. We’ll dive into how hope and purpose can strengthen that confidence; how believing in yourself not only shapes how you think, but how you live, grow, and move forward through challenges. To help us unpack this topic, I am honored to welcome Dr. Julia Garcia to the podcast.

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]]> Sadie Sonneborn Malecki Buzzsprout-18420553 Mon, 16 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0800 1788 15 full false Leader - Jahkil Jackson Leader - Jahkil Jackson Our guest today is Jahkil Jackson, who turned his own curiosity, empathy, and sense of purpose into a global movement. Jahkil is a three-time best-selling author, youth philanthropist, student-athlete, and social entrepreneur. When he was eight years old, he founded Project I Am, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness about homelessness and assisting those in need by creating and distributing “Blessing Bags” filled with essential items.

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]]> Our guest today is Jahkil Jackson, who turned his own curiosity, empathy, and sense of purpose into a global movement. Jahkil is a three-time best-selling author, youth philanthropist, student-athlete, and social entrepreneur. When he was eight years old, he founded Project I Am, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness about homelessness and assisting those in need by creating and distributing “Blessing Bags” filled with essential items.

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]]> Sadie Sonneborn Malecki Buzzsprout-18415479 Mon, 09 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0800 1287 2 2 full false Identity, Purpose, and Self-Esteem with Jenny Garrett Identity, Purpose, and Self-Esteem with Jenny Garrett In our last episode, we explored the topic of self-esteem with Sadie Sutton and discussed what it truly means to find confidence from within. We talked about how anxiety and self-worth often overlap, and how learning to accept ourselves can be one of the most powerful tools for mental health. Today, we’re continuing that conversation, but from a new angle. This time, we’ll focus on how self-esteem connects to identity, purpose, and leadership, and how teenagers can build authentic confidence that lasts. To help us dive deeper into this topic, I’m so excited to welcome Jenny Garrett to the podcast.

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]]> In our last episode, we explored the topic of self-esteem with Sadie Sutton and discussed what it truly means to find confidence from within. We talked about how anxiety and self-worth often overlap, and how learning to accept ourselves can be one of the most powerful tools for mental health. Today, we’re continuing that conversation, but from a new angle. This time, we’ll focus on how self-esteem connects to identity, purpose, and leadership, and how teenagers can build authentic confidence that lasts. To help us dive deeper into this topic, I’m so excited to welcome Jenny Garrett to the podcast.

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]]> Sadie Sonneborn Malecki Buzzsprout-18420481 Mon, 02 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0800 1958 14 full false Becoming Who You Are: Teen Self-Esteem with Sadie Sutton Becoming Who You Are: Teen Self-Esteem with Sadie Sutton As teenagers, self-esteem does not always come naturally. Being able to be confident in who we are, who we want to be, and what we want to become is incredibly difficult. Between social media pressures, academic stress, and the constant comparisons that surround us, it can feel nearly impossible to truly love ourselves. With that in mind, I wanted to explore how teens can build healthy confidence and develop positive self-esteem, both in their daily lives and within their communities. To guide us in this conversation, I am thrilled to welcome Sadie Sutton to the podcast.

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]]> As teenagers, self-esteem does not always come naturally. Being able to be confident in who we are, who we want to be, and what we want to become is incredibly difficult. Between social media pressures, academic stress, and the constant comparisons that surround us, it can feel nearly impossible to truly love ourselves. With that in mind, I wanted to explore how teens can build healthy confidence and develop positive self-esteem, both in their daily lives and within their communities. To guide us in this conversation, I am thrilled to welcome Sadie Sutton to the podcast.

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]]> Sadie Sonneborn Malecki Buzzsprout-18420457 Mon, 26 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0800 2406 13 full false The Journey to You: Self-Discovery with Julie Lythcott-Haims The Journey to You: Self-Discovery with Julie Lythcott-Haims Through our teenage and young adult years, we begin to take the steps to discover our true identities and passions. Discovering who our true selves are makes an incredible difference in our everyday lives, but sometimes that journey of discovery is incredibly rough. The components of life get thrown into the mix, and sometimes we lose who we are supposed to be along the way.  To help us discuss how to find our true passions in life and ourselves is Julie Lythcott-Haims.

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]]> Through our teenage and young adult years, we begin to take the steps to discover our true identities and passions. Discovering who our true selves are makes an incredible difference in our everyday lives, but sometimes that journey of discovery is incredibly rough. The components of life get thrown into the mix, and sometimes we lose who we are supposed to be along the way.  To help us discuss how to find our true passions in life and ourselves is Julie Lythcott-Haims.

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]]> Sadie Sonneborn Malecki Buzzsprout-18420462 Mon, 19 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0800 1830 12 full false Leader - Nate Wilbourne Leader - Nate Wilbourne I’m thrilled to welcome today’s guest for our first episode of the newest PoWoPoPe series, Change Starts Small. Nate Wilbourne is a youth and nature advocate from New Zealand. Nate has done incredible work in environmental conservation, climate justice, and youth empowerment.

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]]> I’m thrilled to welcome today’s guest for our first episode of the newest PoWoPoPe series, Change Starts Small. Nate Wilbourne is a youth and nature advocate from New Zealand. Nate has done incredible work in environmental conservation, climate justice, and youth empowerment.

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]]> Sadie Sonneborn Malecki Buzzsprout-18415475 Mon, 12 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0800 1201 2 1 full false The Kindness Blueprint: Insights from Dr. Karen Bluth The Kindness Blueprint: Insights from Dr. Karen Bluth As we develop into our teenage years, life begins to move at lightning speed. School becomes more demanding, extracurriculars fill up our afternoons, and social pressures seem to grow by the day. Amid all of this, the simple acts of kindness and selflessness that once felt natural can begin to fade. It’s not that we care any less; it’s that life gets busier, and sometimes kindness unintentionally gets pushed aside. With this, I wanted to explore how teenagers can stay kind beyond these stressful years and ensure that it becomes part of who they are. With that in mind, I have invited Dr. Karen Bluth to the podcast.

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]]> As we develop into our teenage years, life begins to move at lightning speed. School becomes more demanding, extracurriculars fill up our afternoons, and social pressures seem to grow by the day. Amid all of this, the simple acts of kindness and selflessness that once felt natural can begin to fade. It’s not that we care any less; it’s that life gets busier, and sometimes kindness unintentionally gets pushed aside. With this, I wanted to explore how teenagers can stay kind beyond these stressful years and ensure that it becomes part of who they are. With that in mind, I have invited Dr. Karen Bluth to the podcast.

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]]> Sadie Sonneborn Malecki Buzzsprout-18419935 Mon, 05 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0800 1741 11 full false The Balancing Act: Managing Anxiety as a Teen with Dr. Amanda Jensen Doss The Balancing Act: Managing Anxiety as a Teen with Dr. Amanda Jensen Doss As we begin our teenage years, schoolwork begins to pile up, activities become more demanding, and thoughts about college consume every waking minute. In all, life becomes more anxiety-inducing and sometimes frightening. Thinking about all this, I wanted to discover techniques teenagers can begin to use to control their anxiety and start to learn ways to advocate for themselves when life becomes too overwhelming. With this in mind, I have invited Dr. Amanda Jensen-Doss to the podcast.

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]]> As we begin our teenage years, schoolwork begins to pile up, activities become more demanding, and thoughts about college consume every waking minute. In all, life becomes more anxiety-inducing and sometimes frightening. Thinking about all this, I wanted to discover techniques teenagers can begin to use to control their anxiety and start to learn ways to advocate for themselves when life becomes too overwhelming. With this in mind, I have invited Dr. Amanda Jensen-Doss to the podcast.

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]]> Sadie Sonneborn Malecki Buzzsprout-18265022 Mon, 15 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0800 1410 10 full false Jeffrey Arnett and Deciding Our Futures Jeffrey Arnett and Deciding Our Futures Teenagehood is the beginning of the rest of our lives. From diving into rigorous classes at school to developing meaningful friendships, teenagers prepare for the future in multiple ways. However, why does it always feel like the future is too close and far at the same time? The pressures from society build, and in the end, making decisions that could determine the rest of our lives is terrifying. With this in mind, I have invited Dr. Jeffery Arnett to join us in discussing this topic.

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]]> Teenagehood is the beginning of the rest of our lives. From diving into rigorous classes at school to developing meaningful friendships, teenagers prepare for the future in multiple ways. However, why does it always feel like the future is too close and far at the same time? The pressures from society build, and in the end, making decisions that could determine the rest of our lives is terrifying. With this in mind, I have invited Dr. Jeffery Arnett to join us in discussing this topic.

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]]> Sadie Sonneborn Malecki Buzzsprout-18265716 Mon, 01 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0800 2000 6 full false A Deep Dive into Media Literacy with Renee Hobbs A Deep Dive into Media Literacy with Renee Hobbs Being exposed to the media is something that we can all relate to. From social media to news articles, the media surrounds us through every waking moment. As we are constantly dealing with the media, what are some tactics and ways that we can become informed about it? How can we develop a healthy relationship with the media that surrounds us? With these questions in mind, I have invited Renee Hobbs to join us in discussing this topic.

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]]> Being exposed to the media is something that we can all relate to. From social media to news articles, the media surrounds us through every waking moment. As we are constantly dealing with the media, what are some tactics and ways that we can become informed about it? How can we develop a healthy relationship with the media that surrounds us? With these questions in mind, I have invited Renee Hobbs to join us in discussing this topic.

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]]> Sadie Sonneborn Malecki Buzzsprout-18265011 Mon, 01 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0800 1602 8 full false Reality Check with Nina Lutz Reality Check with Nina Lutz In this episode, we will discuss misinformation in the media, particularly how it targets specific individuals, including teenagers. We had a similar conversation only a few episodes ago; the focus of this episode will be on why certain individuals are targets of factors such as age, immigration, and ethnicity. Why does the internet sometimes attack different people, and how can we make it a safer space for all? To join us in discussing our big question, I have Nina Lutz.

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]]> In this episode, we will discuss misinformation in the media, particularly how it targets specific individuals, including teenagers. We had a similar conversation only a few episodes ago; the focus of this episode will be on why certain individuals are targets of factors such as age, immigration, and ethnicity. Why does the internet sometimes attack different people, and how can we make it a safer space for all? To join us in discussing our big question, I have Nina Lutz.

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]]> Sadie Sonneborn Malecki Buzzsprout-18265005 Mon, 01 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0800 2158 9 full false Eimon Amjadi and Discovering the Equilibrium through Technology and Decisions Eimon Amjadi and Discovering the Equilibrium through Technology and Decisions Parallel to the last episode, today we will discuss our futures. However, we will dive into how our identities and decisions now relate to our futures. Being the best version of yourself now may have a bigger influence on what occurs in the future, but how do we discover our ideal version of ourselves before the future arrives? Today, to help us develop this question, we welcome Eimon Amjadi.

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]]> Parallel to the last episode, today we will discuss our futures. However, we will dive into how our identities and decisions now relate to our futures. Being the best version of yourself now may have a bigger influence on what occurs in the future, but how do we discover our ideal version of ourselves before the future arrives? Today, to help us develop this question, we welcome Eimon Amjadi.

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]]> Sadie Sonneborn Malecki Buzzsprout-18264724 Mon, 01 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0800 1630 7 full false Michael Rich and the Balance of Exposure to Technology Michael Rich and the Balance of Exposure to Technology As teenagers in the twenty-first century, we have been surrounded by technology since the start of our first memories. Whether we are in school writing a paper on a computer or hanging out with friends recording TikToks, technology surrounds us daily. So the big question today is, how do we continue to interact with this level of technology without developing a grueling addiction?  Here to answer this major question is Dr. Michael Rich.

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]]> As teenagers in the twenty-first century, we have been surrounded by technology since the start of our first memories. Whether we are in school writing a paper on a computer or hanging out with friends recording TikToks, technology surrounds us daily. So the big question today is, how do we continue to interact with this level of technology without developing a grueling addiction?  Here to answer this major question is Dr. Michael Rich.

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]]> Sadie Sonneborn Malecki Buzzsprout-18264702 Mon, 01 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0800 1768 5 full false Deen Freelon and the Influence of Misinformation Deen Freelon and the Influence of Misinformation Today, we will discuss misinformation in the media and its impacts. We are surrounded by the media, and for most of us, it is incredibly difficult to differentiate what is real and what is not. Not every source is reliable, and that can make interacting with all media variants highly challenging. Here to discuss and inform us on this vast topic is Dr. Deen Freelon.

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]]> Today, we will discuss misinformation in the media and its impacts. We are surrounded by the media, and for most of us, it is incredibly difficult to differentiate what is real and what is not. Not every source is reliable, and that can make interacting with all media variants highly challenging. Here to discuss and inform us on this vast topic is Dr. Deen Freelon.

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]]> Sadie Sonneborn Malecki Buzzsprout-18264693 Mon, 01 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0800 1754 4 full false Gustavo Carlo and the Road to Genuine Connections Gustavo Carlo and the Road to Genuine Connections Today, we will be discussing the topics of friendships and the discovery of genuine connections. Growing up, we cross paths with a multitude of people, but how do we differentiate who our friends are and who is not? Once we have flourished our friendships, how do we keep them strong and positive? To help us answer some of those questions here today, I have Gustavo Carlo.

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]]> Today, we will be discussing the topics of friendships and the discovery of genuine connections. Growing up, we cross paths with a multitude of people, but how do we differentiate who our friends are and who is not? Once we have flourished our friendships, how do we keep them strong and positive? To help us answer some of those questions here today, I have Gustavo Carlo.

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]]> Sadie Sonneborn Malecki Buzzsprout-18254294 Mon, 01 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0800 2263 3 full false Richard Weissbourd and Our Relationship with Social Media Richard Weissbourd and Our Relationship with Social Media Social media and the modern adolescent experience are having dramatic consequences on teenagers’ mental health and development. To further discuss this incredibly underestimated topic, I have invited Richard Weissbourd to the PoWoPoPe podcast. 

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]]> Social media and the modern adolescent experience are having dramatic consequences on teenagers’ mental health and development. To further discuss this incredibly underestimated topic, I have invited Richard Weissbourd to the PoWoPoPe podcast. 

Support the show

]]> Sadie Sonneborn Malecki Buzzsprout-18254250 Mon, 01 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0800 1054 2 full false Lauren Palazzo and the Effect of Social Media on Us Lauren Palazzo and the Effect of Social Media on Us Social media and the modern adolescent experience are having dramatic consequences on teenagers’ mental health and development. Joining us to discuss these crucial topics on the first episode of PoWoPoPe is Lauren Palazzo! 

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]]> Social media and the modern adolescent experience are having dramatic consequences on teenagers’ mental health and development. Joining us to discuss these crucial topics on the first episode of PoWoPoPe is Lauren Palazzo! 

Support the show

]]> Sadie Sonneborn Malecki Buzzsprout-18253963 Mon, 01 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0800 1551 1 full false